And I tell it you, because many discreet ones are apt to wonder, that I so make my self a scorn and gazing stock to fools: Though I shall never think it a shame to me, which was the onely glory of him, that was a man after God's own heart, as you may very often hear him profess, as in Psalm 50 15. & 71.17, 18, 19, 24. & 51. 14. & 119.171. & 22.22. & 35.18. and many the like; see Luke 8.38, 39.
I also mention it, that I may (if possible in this covetous, cold and dull Age) p••ovoke others to do the same; or at least somthing for the saving of these poor, ignorant, and impotent wretches; that are neither able nor willing to help them∣selves. Though as one would think, (for I speak to enlightned souls) they should not need spurring, nor prompting to this Duty: For what heart would it not make to bleed, that hath any Christian blood in his veins, to see what multitudes there are, that go blinde-fold to destruction; And no man offer to stop or check them before they arrive there, from whence there is no Redem∣ption. Math. 7.13, 14. 1 Ioh. 5.19. Rev. 20.8. & 13.16. Isa. 10.22. Ro∣man. 9.27. 2 Tim. 2.26. 2 Cor. 4.4. Eph. 2.1, to 4. Phil. 3.18. Ioh. 8.44. & 14.30.
Yea, how should it not make all, that are themselves got out of Satan's clutches▪ plot, study,, and contrive all they can; to draw others of their brethten after them.
We read that Andrew was no sooner converted, and become Christ's Disciple; but instantly he drew others after him to the same Faith, Iohn 1.41. and the like of Philip, ver. 45. and of the woman of Samaria, Iohn 4.28, to 41. And of Peter, Luke 22.32. Acts 2.41. and 3 Chap. and 4.4. And so of all the Apostles. Yea, Moses so thirsted after the salvation of Israel, that rather then he would be saved without them, he desired the Lord to blot him out of the Book of life, Exod. 32.32. And Paul to this purpose saith, I could wish my self to be separated from Christ, for my brethren; that are my kinsmen according to the flesh: meaning the Iews, Rom. 9.3. And indeed, all heavenly hearts are charitable. Neither are we of the Communion of Saints, if we desire not the blessednesse of others: it being an inseparable adjunct, or relative to grace; for none but a Cain will say, Am I my brother's keeper? Yea, where the heart is thankful, and inflamed with the•• love of God, and onr neighbour, this will be the principal aim▪ As by my sins, and had example, I have drawn others from God, so now I will, all I can, draw others with my self to God. Saul converted, will build up as fast as ever he plucked down, and preach as zealously as ever he persecuted. And we are no whit thankful for our own salvation, if we do not look with charitie and pitie upon the gross mis-opinious and misprisions of our Brethren. And what though we cannot do what we would? yet we mnst labour to do what we can to win o∣thers; not to merit by it, but to express our thanks. Besides, it were very dishonorable to Christ not to do so. Did you ever know that wicked men; Thievs, Drunkards, Adulterers, Persecuters, false Prophets, or the like, would be damned alone? no, they mis-lead all they can, as desiring to have companions. Yea. the Pharisees would take great pains, compass sea and land, to make others two-fold more the children of hell then themselvs, as our Saviour expresly witnesseth, Mat. 23.15. which may cast a blush upon our cheeks, who are nothing so industrious to win souls to God. And what a shame is it! that our God should not have as faithful servants, as he hath unfaithful enemies: That wicked men should be at more cost and and pains to please an ill master, then we can afford to please so good a God, so gracious, and so loving a Father? Shall they labour so hard, for 〈…〉〈…〉 will but inhance their damnation? and shall we think any pains too